Learning to batik

I am learning to batik.  There is so much to learn!  My most recent inspiration comes from here, but I have been interested in batik for as long as I can remember. My first attempt was when I was 5 years old and I still remember how the hot wax smelled!
Arjun and I are crazy about dragons these days and we pretty much do not want to wear any shirts that do not have dragons on them.  Kate made these shirts for us and we love, love, LOVE them!

 

At first, I washed them the moment we took them off of our bodies so that we could wear them again as soon as possible.  Since then, I have made us a few more dragon shirts.  Arjun needed a pink one right away.... 

I have been reading this book:

and this one, but I find that most of my learning is coming from experience.  Trying, failing, succeeding and remembering....
I've been doing a screenprint/batik combo for my new dragons.

I made a screen using drawing fluid (first time) and screen filler.  I wanted the dragon to look as much like my watercolor sketches as possible.

 I screenprinted the dragon, then filled in scales, whirly breath, spirally dragon hair, longer claws with wax.  Dyed several layers with procion dye (NOT RIT!) 

My very first try.

Arjun calls this one "The green dragon with the shiny eye."

I am happy with the results so far.